Ashington lad Archie Anderson off to USA for pioneering surgery

A DREAM came a step closer today as Archie Anderson jetted to America.

A DREAM came a step closer today as Archie Anderson jetted to America.

It comes after a huge fundraising effort in the North East which has raised £80,000 for the six-year-old.

At the moment Cerebral Palsy sufferer Archie isn’t able to walk far.

But in just a matter of days, he will undergo surgery called selective dorsal rhizotomy at St Louis Children’s Hospital in Missouri.

The life-changing surgery will strengthen Archie’s legs and, it is hoped, he will soon be walking and playing like any other schoolboy.

Mum Marie, 40, said: “We are getting a train down to London on Friday and we get the flight over to Chicago on Saturday morning. We are excited and a bit anxious. It has been a long time coming and now it is finally here.”

Archie will need equipment to help him through his initial recovery, intensive daily physiotherapy, and a return trip to the States to monitor his progress, which is why fundraising goes on.

Marie said: “I’m excited because I know we are doing the right thing but I’m still anxious about the operation itself.”

Using Facebook, Archie and his mum have been in touch with other youngsters who have been for the operation and are encouraged.

“It has been nice because some of them are the same age as Archie and they are not friends,” said Marie.

The mum, from Ashington, in Northumberland, said this day would not have come were it not for the help of all who donated.

She said: “I really just want to say thank-you for everyone’s support.

“Once the collections are in we think we will have around £80,000.

“It is absolutely amazing.

“It means that we don’t need to worry about physiotherapy for the next 18 months.”

Soon, Archie will be able to return to school and start his new upwardly mobile life.

Marie said: “We are going to be building Archie’s strength back up.

“And by September or October we are hoping he will be in a position to go back to school.

“We have all the equipment ready for when we get back.

“We are determined to give him the best because it will be the most important time in his recovery.”

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